Is empathy biologically derived? Are social behaviors hardwired in the brain? Victoria Pitts-Taylor explores the many sociological implications of mirror neurons. First described in the 1990s, mirror neurons are neurons that fire when an animal is either acting or observing that same act. Having written two books already on the body, Victoria began to incorporate neuroscience after seeing images of her own brain due to a bout of severe headaches. Her work embraces the challenge of cultivating dialogue in the soft sciences about topics generally left to those in “lab coats.”

Victoria is a Professor of Sociology at Queens College and the Graduate Center, where she is also Director of the Center for the Study of Women and Society and Coordinator of the Women’s Studies Doctoral Certificate Program.